Work

Student Paramedic and Practice Educator Experiences of Ambulance Placements. A Rapid Evidence Review

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Ambulance practice placements overseen by paramedic practice educators form an essential aspect of training for student paramedics; however, this approach, adapted from other healthcare professions, is a relatively new model for paramedicine and evidence regarding its application in prehospital contexts is limited. Therefore, this rapid evidence review aimed to explore student paramedic and paramedic practice educator experiences of ambulance practice placements. Methods: EBSCOhost was used to search the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete and MEDLINE databases from inception to March 2024. Screening and data extraction was performed by one reviewer and verified by the second. Included studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist and thematic synthesis of results undertaken. Results: Of 134 records screened, seven were included in the review, representing 131 participants from the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Four themes were identified, including practice educator training and support, student-practice educator relationships, organization and communication, and operational factors. Conclusion: Outdated workplace practices, personal factors, education-industry barriers and unpredictable working environments impacted student paramedic and paramedic practice educator experiences of ambulance practice placements. Better communication is needed between universities and ambulance services to improve the consistency of ambulance practice placements for student paramedics and paramedic practice educators.

Source: Health Science Reports

DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.70552

Authors: Joseph James Hudson Brown, Marishona Ortega, Gregory Adam Whitley

Institutions: University of Lincoln, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Language: English

Topic: Innovations in Medical Education

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,280